The Trump administration is trying to pressure states into handing over sensitive information about people voting by mail, using the U.S. Postal Service as leverage.

A proposed USPS rule would require states to provide names, addresses, and ballot barcode information for voters receiving mail-in or absentee ballots through a new federal portal. Mailings that fail to satisfy the proposed requirements could be rejected by the USPS. Postmaster General David Steiner went even further, telling Senators that the USPS would not deliver election mail if states refused to provide the required voter information.

Secretaries of State should not be intimidated. Their hands are not tied.

Now after a Supreme Court decision added new chaos to the on-going litigation, including on-again off-again injunctions and restraining orders, the USPS is again blocked from moving forward with its plan to implement Trump’s voter suppression scheme – for now. Still, the uncertainty while the legal cases are moving forward just strengthens the need for secretaries of state to do the right thing.

State election officials should refuse to surrender voter information in response to political threats. They should publicly demand that USPS do its job and deliver lawful ballots and election information without delays, retaliation, or new political conditions.

State officials must stand up now and make clear that Donald Trump cannot use the Postal Service to intimidate states or put new barriers between eligible voters and their ballots.

Tell your Secretary of State to refuse Trump’s voter-data demands and demand uninterrupted delivery of ballot and election mail.